And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five persons who wore the linen ephod. And Nob, the city of the priests, he put to the sword; both man and woman, child and infant, ox, donkey and sheep, he put to the sword. But one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. - 1 Samuel 22:18-20
In one moment, he lost everything. The bloody sword of Doeg left nothing in its wake. Every member of his family, gone. Eighty-five work colleagues were killed, including his father, Ahimelech. His vocation seemingly vanished. All because of Saul’s descent under God’s judgment into greater and greater wickedness.
What is Abiathar to do? Some survival instinct kicks in. He escapes and flees. But where is he going to go? Will anyone take him in knowing that to do so would be seen as an act of treason by Saul and likely to incur his wrath?
He makes his choice and he goes to David. This might seem like an odd place to turn. Many of us would sympathize if Abiathar blamed David for this whole mess. If he hadn’t shown up in Nob looking for assistance as he fled from Saul, perhaps none of this would have happened. Besides that, choosing to side with David doesn’t appear to be a winning proposition at this point in time. It meant a life on the run and a settled opposition to Saul.
Yet this is where he turns. Perhaps his previous experience with David allowed him to experience something of David’s character. Maybe he knew that while Saul still officially held the throne, David was God’s anointed. It could be as simple as he had no other choice. Whatever the reasons, he pins his hope on David.
David does not disappoint. He accepts responsibility for his role in what occurred, though he bears no culpability for the slaughter. What sticks out to me is the phrase “with me”. It appears twice in David’s statement to Abiathar. “Stay with me”, he says. The New Testament language for this is abiding (cf. John 15). Why? Because “With me you shall be in safekeeping.”
Saints, where do you turn when you face the trials and tribulations of this life? Do you look to your own strength, wisdom, and resources? Do you trust in your bank account or reputation? Are your eyes cast to politicians or leaders who promise they can protect you and provide for all your needs? The Scriptures warn us not to place our trust in these things. Instead, in these situations, let us run to Jesus, the King of Kings, and abide in him to find rest, rescue, and safety.
